Ecological site group DX035X04CESG04
Chaco Mesa LRU Subset - Limy
Last updated: 09/10/2022
Accessed: 05/02/2024
Ecological site group description
Key Characteristics
- Chaco Mesa. This LRU subset is composed of Cretaceous materials, is generally above 1900 m in elevation, and does not drain directly into the San Juan River. The Chaco Mesa subset is further distinguished from the Bisti Lowlands in that the former receives more monsoonal moisture, harbors more warm-season grasses, and experiences a considerable amount of blowing sands.
- Sites that occur on "upland", water-shedding landforms. Elevated terraces are included in this group.
- Soils are > 50 cm to lithic or paralithic contact (root-restrictive bedrock).
- Soils lack both significant salinity and sodicity.
- Soils have a combination of free carbonates and calcareous rock fragments at the surface. Strong or violent response to dilute HCl and ≥ 5% calcareous fragments.
Provisional. A provisional ecological site description has undergone quality control and quality assurance review. It contains a working state and transition model and enough information to identify the ecological site.
Physiography
Various upland, water-shedding landforms.
Soil features
The overriding property of the soils in this group is that they have abundant free carbonates (i.e. they will react strongly to dilute HCL) at the surface. Additionally, these soils are well-drained and >50 cm to root-restrictive layers.
Major Land Resource Area
MLRA 035X
Colorado Plateau
Subclasses
Stage
Provisional
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